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You may have heard that Hawaii has distinct "high" and "low" seasons when it comes to tourism, but that's only true to an extent. By most standards, Hawaii's high season starts in mid-December and extends halfway through April, during which airfare and accommodation prices typically rise. Summer and fall, on the other hand, mark the low season in Hawaii, when it's cheaper to fly and lodge. However, exceptions exist to these rules, so do your research before booking your Hawaiian adventure.

Springtime in Hawaii

Hawaiian weather is relatively consistent year-round, with the average high temperatures ranging between 78 degrees F (January through March) and 85 degrees F (in August and September), and average rainfall varying from 1.8 inches (in June) to 4.8 inches (in December). You'll usually be able to find warm, tropical weather and lush greenery no matter when you visit Hawaii, and spring is no exception.

That said, April is generally considered the beginning of Hawaii's "dry season," when there's relatively little rain and wind. Airfare and lodging prices drop around this time of year, as it's also the beginning of the low tourist season, and fresh spring flowers bloom. Water temperatures remain in the high-70s, and daily high temperatures average 79 degrees F.

April and May are ideal months to visit Hawaii, as the crowds are relatively thin, the weather is near-perfect, and prices are generally low. Keep in mind that the Merrie Monarch festival draws crowds to the Big Island starting Easter Sunday.

Hawaii in the Summer

Summer is considered the "low season" in Hawaii, but it's still a popular season for tourists. As a result, prices for rental vehicles and lodging are generally low during June, July and August, but you'll still run into crowds. And because more people book flights to Hawaii in the summer, airline prices usually rise during these months.

Travelers hoping to fill their days in Hawaii with hikes and surfing and other outdoor activities might face disappointment during the summer months. The surf is at its lowest during the summer because the winds are at their weakest in the summer months. It's also the hottest time of the year in Hawaii, and extremely humid, which makes for uncomfortable conditions for most outdoor activities. If your only interests for a Hawaii trip are days on the beach and evenings in the spa, summer will still meet your needs – otherwise, it's not the best time of year for Hawaii travel.

Autumn in Hawaii

November brings in higher rainfall on the Hawaiian islands, and the winds increase, as well. Exceptionally strong Kona storms – which occur with changes in wind patterns – can lead to flooding and wind damage in some areas, usually affecting the Kona coast on the Big Island. However, significant damages from Kona storms are rare.

A Hawaiian fall might signal the risk for Kona storms, but otherwise, the season is easy on travelers. You can still enjoy low-season prices, thin crowds, and warm, tropical weather, plus some decent surf. The Ironman triathlon take place on the Big Island in October, which can draw crowds and hike prices, so check the triathlon's dates to ensure it doesn't interfere with your travel plans. After spring, autumn is the best time of year to visit Hawaii.

A Hawaiian Winter

Again, high season kicks in around mid-December. That's when flight prices rise, as do the prices for tours, rental vehicles and lodging. If you're planning to travel to Hawaii in the winter months, expect big crowds and high prices, especially around Christmastime.

Weather-wise, Hawaii's climate remains comfortable throughout the winter. The surf is high, which might make swimming tough, but it's ideal conditions for surfing events, especially on Maui and Oahu. Winter sometimes even brings snow to the Big Island and occasionally to Maui. Winter is also the best time of the year for whale watching in Hawaii.

Despite the high surf, decent weather and perfect whale-watching conditions, winter is generally the worst time of year to plan a trip to Hawaii, because of the high prices and large crowds.

References

About the Author

Brenna Swanston is a freelance writer, editor and journalist. She covers topics including environment, education, agriculture and travel. She previously reported for the Sun newspaper in Santa Maria, Calif., and holds a bachelor's in journalism from California Polytechnic State University. Swanston is an avid traveler and loves jazz, yoga and craft beer.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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Hawaii, Big Island, computer image generated using TruFlite

Three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries as well as surface lava flow are seen at the image. You could see red lava entering the ocean at the first Waikupanaha ocean entry and a glow at Ki ocean entry. At Hawaii the lava usually moves inside lava tubes. The surface flow is rare. The meeting of lava and the ocean is so violent that one ...

Pāhoehoe Lava Is Entering Pacific At The Big Island Of Hawai, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Photograped By Brocken Inaglory In April Of 2005.